The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) resumed with competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Friday after inclement weather forced the cancellation of Thursday’s classes. The $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5, originally scheduled for Thursday, was held in the afternoon with a win for USA’s Brianne Goutal and Ballade van het Indihof. Alexander Zetterman (SWE) and Flecu finished second and Abigail McArdle (USA) and Cade placed third. Ariat® International, Inc. is the title sponsor of week five CSI 3* competition on February 4-8, 2015. The week will feature the $127,000 Ariat® Grand Prix CSI 3* on the grass jumping field at The Stadium at PBIEC on Sunday, February 8. The weekend also highlights the 6th Annual Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments®, which will be the main event on Saturday, February 7, under the lights of the International Arena at PBIEC. Robert Ellis of Great Britain set the speed track for Friday’s Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 5 with 77 rounds and 17 clear combinations. With her win aboard Remarkable Farms LP’s Ballade van het Indihof, Brianne Goutal broke Eric Lamaze’s four-week hold on the series. The defending winner had one rail down to finish out of the money. Although other riders were faster, Goutal’s early clear round, fifth in the order of go, would prove unbeatable. Lamaze went right before her, fourth in the order, and it was no mistake that Goutal crossed the timers just fractions off of his time. She watched his every step before entering the ring, and followed the same track. Her resulting time of 59.90 seconds held on through over 70 rounds for the win. Sweden’s Alexander Zetterman and Flecu finished second, almost three seconds slower in 62.54 seconds. source: Equnews/Press
